The morning sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows of the Smith family's main hall, casting dappled shadows on the stone floor. Emily rubbed her sleepy eyes as she walked out of her room, still wearing the slightly loose linen nightgown from the previous night.
"Good morning!" she waved cheerfully at her family, her voice light and casual, carrying the unique ease of a modern person.
At the dining table, Sir Richard Smith was reading a commercial letter from London. He didn't even look up when he heard his daughter's voice. Lady Isabella, holding a cup of mint tea, briefly glanced at Emily, her eyebrows furrowing ever so slightly.
"Emily, how could you come to the dining room dressed like this?" Lady Isabella's voice was tinged with displeasure. "What happened to the dignity of a noblewoman?"
Emily looked down at her attire and blinked in confusion. "Is... is there something wrong with this? I find it quite comfortable."
Sitting across from the dining table, William Smith put down the piece of bread he was holding and gave a disdainful smile. "Sister, you're always so... unconventional. No wonder the noblewomen in court won't befriend you."
"William!" Lady Isabella scolded softly, though her tone lacked real reproach.
Emily sat down at the table and reached for a piece of honey bread. She noticed that the food on the table was carefully arranged—fresh white bread, exquisite cheeses, pickled olives, and a pot of rich, aromatic ale. But in front of her, there was only simple rye bread and a glass of water.
"Um... could I have a piece of that white bread that looks so good?" Emily pointed to the exquisite breakfast in front of William.
Sir Richard finally looked up, his deep gray eyes scrutinizing his daughter. "Emily, you've already gained enough weight. The rye bread is enough for you."
Emily froze for a moment, instinctively touching her waist. "Am I... fat?"
[System Prompt: Host, the original Emily has been disliked by her family due to her slightly fuller figure. This is an important character setting.]
"It's not just about your figure," William said elegantly as he sliced his bread. "Sister, your mannerisms are also... how should I say it, lacking the grace expected of a noblewoman. Yesterday, Miss Margaret of the de Clare family was asking me if you had been living in the countryside for too long."
Emily took a bite of the dry rye bread, and the taste was indeed lacking. She couldn't help but long for modern toast and jam.
"Speaking of the de Clare family," Lady Isabella suddenly spoke, "Tonight, Count Roger de Mortimer will host a grand banquet, inviting all the prominent noble families. William will attend as our family's representative."
Emily looked up. "What about me?"
The table fell into a brief silence.
Sir Richard cleared his throat. "Emily, you should stay at home. We can't have you causing any more trouble at such an important event."
"At the Duke of Exeter's banquet last time, you actually asked the hostess where the kitchen was because you wanted to personally cook to thank her for her hospitality," William shook his head. "Oh my, that scene was... hard to describe."
Emily frowned. "I just wanted to express my gratitude, and I'm actually quite good at cooking."
"Noblewomen should not be in the kitchen," Lady Isabella said sternly. "That's the servants' domain. Your actions have completely embarrassed the Smith family."
[System Prompt: Host, please note, noblewomen in this era are not expected to be involved in kitchen work, as it is considered beneath their status.]
Emily sighed inwardly. She had gradually adapted to the various rules of this era, but sometimes she couldn't help but act based on modern thinking.
"Alright," she compromised, "Then I'll just stay home and rest."
William seemed surprised by her submission but quickly resumed his usual, slightly contemptuous expression. "Better this way. Who knows, you might do something shocking again one day."
Just then, a young maid walked into the dining room, bowing respectfully to Sir Richard. "Master, a messenger has arrived from Montfort Castle. He says there are important documents that need your signature."
Sir Richard frowned. "Documents from Duke Edmund? Bring them over."
The maid handed over a parchment sealed with red wax. Sir Richard unsealed it and read it carefully, his expression growing more serious.
"What's wrong, dear?" Lady Isabella asked with concern.
"It's a new wool trade agreement," Sir Richard placed the document on the table. "Duke Edmund wants to renegotiate the trade terms. This is very important for our family's business."
A glint of sharpness flashed in William's eyes. "Father, this is a good opportunity. If we can establish a closer business relationship with Duke Montfort, our standing will rise significantly."
"Indeed," Sir Richard nodded. "But Duke Edmund has always been difficult to approach. He keeps a distance from nobles who come from merchant backgrounds."
Emily thought back to the stern man she had seen handling documents under the candlelight, and the suspicious look he had given her when he said, "Your wife five years from now."
"Um... what kind of person is Duke Montfort?" she couldn't help but ask.
William scoffed. "Sister, don't tell me you don't know the most powerful duke in England? Edmund de Montfort, 28 years old, holds lands across three counties, and he is one of the King's most trusted advisors. He is handsome, wealthy, and powerful, the dream man of all noblewomen."
"But he is also known for his cold demeanor," Lady Isabella added, "It's said he is indifferent to women and remains unmarried. Many great noble families have tried to marry their daughters off to him, but all have been rejected."
Emily nodded thoughtfully. It seemed that man was indeed a notable figure in this era.
At that moment, the sound of hooves echoed outside. Soon, the butler hurried into the dining room, his expression tense.
"Master, Madam," the butler panted, "The messenger from Count de Mortimer has arrived and says there has been a change to tonight's banquet."
Sir Richard frowned. "What change?"
"The Count... has invited all members of the Smith family, including Miss Emily."
The dining room fell silent again.
William's expression became complicated. "Why the sudden invitation for Sister?"
Sir Richard and Lady Isabella exchanged a look, both showing confusion and concern in their eyes.
"Maybe... maybe it's because of some rumors about Emily?" Lady Isabella tentatively suggested.
Emily looked at them in confusion. "What rumors?"
William coughed awkwardly. "Well... there's been talk that you've been acting strangely recently, and... and there's a rumor that you've had contact with some important person."
[System Prompt: Host, your two encounters with Duke Edmund have already spread within noble circles, drawing a lot of attention.]
Emily suddenly understood. It seemed that her time-travel journey had attracted more attention than she had imagined.
"Then... what should we do?" she asked.
Sir Richard was silent for a long time before sighing. "Since Count de Mortimer has personally invited us, we can't refuse. But Emily," he looked at his daughter seriously, "Tonight, you must behave like a proper noblewoman. No more strange actions."
Emily nodded. "I'll try my best."
"I'll have the seamstress prepare a suitable dress for you," Lady Isabella said. "And I'll personally teach you how to handle different situations tonight."
William glanced at his sister, a complicated expression in his eyes. "Sister, many important figures will be attending tonight, including... including Duke Montfort."
Hearing the name, Emily's heart skipped a beat.
"Regardless," Sir Richard said finally, "Tonight will be a critical night for the Smith family. I expect everyone to do their part."
Emily looked out the window. The sunlight was perfect, but she felt an undercurrent of tension building.
[System Prompt: Host, tonight's banquet will be a turning point. Prepare yourself, your fate is about to change significantly.]
She silently responded to the system: I'm ready.
But honestly, she wasn't sure if she was truly prepared for everything that was about to come.